May 1 , 2007

GENEVA, N.Y.—The Statesmen Athletic Association and the Hobart Athletics Department honored the top student-athletes of 2006-07 at the 42nd Annual Block H Awards Banquet April 30. Senior Aasim Cunningham (Montclair Kimberly Academy/Montclair, N.J.), senior Duncan Paddick (Chenango Valley/Binghamton, N.Y.), senior Mike Manning (Center Moriches/Mastic, N.Y.), junior John Grazioli (St. Anthony’s/Melville, N.Y.), and first-year Sean McHugh (Holy Trinity/Mineola, N.Y.) all were honored.

The Bob Ford Basketball Award goes to the most valuable player. This year, All-Liberty League selections Manning and Grazioli shared the award. Both players were instrumental in Hobart’s upsets of two ranked teams and its season-ending four-game winning streak.

The team captain, Manning started every game, led the team in rebounds (5.8 rpg), assists (62), steals (42), and was the second-leading scorer (13.3 ppg). He leaves the program with 1,112 career points, just the 20th basketball Statesman to score 1,000 points over his career. He persevered through four years with a nagging injury and still he excelled on the court. For that, he was also recognized with Hobart’s Joseph N. Abraham Memorial Training Award.

A forward, Grazioli led the Statesmen offensively this year, averaging 17.6 points per game, and was second in rebounding (5.7 rpg). He was consistently ranked among the top scorers in the league, and earned Player of the Week accolades twice.

Cunningham was tabbed the most improved player, earning the Kent Butler Basketball Award. He stepped in to lead the Statesmen at the point guard position, starting 24 of 25 games this season after seeing limited time over his career. This winter he ranked second on the team in steals (38) and assists (59), and was third on the team in scoring with 7.9 points per game.

McHugh was honored with the Basketball Rookie Award. He started 21 of 25 games this season and led the team in three-point shooting, hitting 45 (.388). McHugh ranked fourth on the team in scoring (6.4 ppg) and third in assists (42).

The Statesmen Basketball Award went to Paddick for scholarship, leadership, and all-around contribution to the team. In his first season with the team, he played in 21 games and started three. Paddick provided a spark for the Statesmen all season long, and chipped in 57 points, 27 rebounds, and 14 steals.